The Orkney Native Wildlife Project Strategic Environmental Assessment Scoping Report October 2019 1 / 18 Orkney Native Wildlife Project Strategic Environmental Assessment Scoping Report Contents 1. Project summary and objectives 1.1 Project Summary 1.2 Operational Summary 1.3 Aims and Objectives 2. Relevant plans, programmes and strategies 3. Environmental Baseline 4. Scope of the assessment 5. Reasonable alternatives 6. Assessment methodology 7. Consultation period and next steps Appendix 1. SACs and SPAs on Orkney Appendix 2. Sites of Special Scientific Interest on the Orkney Islands Appendix 3. Number of confirmed stoat sightings between 2010-2018 Appendix 4. Scope of Assessment Annex - SEA Screening Template 2 / 18 1. Project Summary, Objectives and Outcomes 1.1 Project Summary This five year project aims to eradicate the stoat populations on Orkney Mainland, South Ronaldsay, Burray, Glimps Holm, Lamb Holm and Hunda and prevent the spread of stoats to the non-linked islands of the archipelago. Stoats are non-native to the Orkney Isle with the first confirmed sightings in 2010. Stoats have never been part of the ecosystem in Orkney and the ecological consequences of stoat introduction to Orkney are predicted to be devastating. The stoat will impact a whole array of species across the landscape, from hen harriers and short-eared owls nesting on the moors, voles, corncrake and wading birds breeding on farmland, seabirds breeding on cliffs and land, and twite nesting on coastal heath. The Orkney stoat eradication will be the largest of its kind ever attempted, in terms of the land area targeted. It will also be the world’s largest eradication operation carried out on an inhabited island. Around 20 of the Orkney Islands are inhabited, with a total population of around 21,000 people. This eradication will be delivered by the Orkney Native Wildlife Project (ONWP) partnership, formed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Orkney Islands Council (OIC). This project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the EU LIFE in addition to financial contributions from the partners. 1.2 Operational Summary The delivery phase of the project is expected to commence in October 2019. Around 10,000 traps, consisting of DOC 150 and DOC 200 in double-set tunnels and single-ended cubby configuration have been set out by the project trappers. A small number of Goodnature A24 traps will also be trialled and may form part of the delivery phase. The traps will be set and checked at least once every three weeks. Dogs will also be used to search for the presence of stoats. This phase of the eradication operation is expected to last up to three years. It is anticipated that once the trapping rate has reached zero then there will be a further 2 year period of trapping effort. At the completion of a 2- year period with no confirmed reports of stoats and no fresh sign detected by the conservation detection dogs, the eradication can be declared a success and the operation will end. Stoat biosecurity for the Orkney Islands is also an essential component of a successful eradication, and will guarantee a long-lasting legacy for the benefit of natural heritage. A suite of biosecurity measures will be implemented on the stoat free islands. This eradication operation will be supported by a monitoring programme, which will collect data on stoat abundance using tracking tunnels and motion-triggered trail cameras operated by citizen scientists. Orkney’s native wildlife will also be monitored by volunteers and citizen scientists, and seasonal research assistants will collect wader and hen harrier productivity data to gather evidence on the conservation impact of the stoat removal in Orkney. 1.3 Aims and Objectives The primary objective of this eradication operation is to remove the predation pressure posed by the invasive non-native stoat on the Orkney native wildlife. The purpose of the eradication is to safeguard Orkney’s native wildlife population. The main objectives are outlined in table 1 below. Objectives Outcomes 1. By August 2019, the extent of the stoat 1.1 The risks and uncertainties associated with invasion across the Orkney islands is known, the stoat eradication are reduced and managed robust biosecurity measures are in place to prevent further spread, and plans and funding are in place to remove any satellite popula- tions that have become established on the 3 / 18 non-linked islands 2.1 Stoat predation pressure has been reduced 2. By August 2023, stoat density on Orkney Main- for the benefit of Orkney native wildlife land and linked isles is reduced to a level where they are no longer a significant threat to Orkney native wildlife 3.1 The long-term sustainability of stoat-free By August 2025, no stoats remain in Orkney and Orkney islands is secured the risk of new incursions is effectively reduced through a comprehensive and well-resourced bi- osecurity strategy for the archipelago Table 1: Project objectives 2. Relevant Plans, Programmes and Strategies Table 2 below details the related policy and regulatory framework which sets the context for the as- sessment. Related Policy and legisla- tive context. Summary description Relevance to the project Nature conservation law EC Habitats & Species Di- Ensures the conservation of a rective 1992 wide range of rare, threatened The project has the ability to affect or endemic animal and plant the habitats and species within species. Orkney’s SACs. An HRA has been undertaken to determine if the pro- ject will have an adverse effect on the integrity of these SAC’s. EC Birds Directive 1992 Protects wild birds within the The project has the ability to affect EU, including their eggs, nests SPA birds. An HRA has been un- and habitats. dertaken to determine if the project will have an adverse effect on the integrity the Orkney SPA’s. Habitats Regulations 1994 Implements Birds and Habitats Plans or proposals affecting any Directives in the UK Natura site (SAC or SPA), would require a ‘Habitats Regulations Appraisal’ before proceeding. Some of these might require an ‘Appropriate Assessment’ before a decision is made about whether or not to proceed Wildlife & Countryside Act The protection of sites and Licences may be required to dis- 1981 species and the licensing of turb Schedule 1 breeding birds. activities that might affect them. Nature Conservation (Scot- Duty on public bodies to further The project has the potential to land) Act 2004 the conservation of biodiversity; affect Orkney SSSIs. SSSI con- also protection for Sites of sents will be required for potentially Special Scientific Interest and damaging operations. threatened species. Wildlife and Natural Environ- The act amends existing legis- Any feral/domestic cats caught in ment (Scotland) Act 2011 lation relating to the protection the traps will not be released into of certain birds, species, habi- the wild. 4 / 18 tats and activities, aiming to make law on wildlife and the natural environment more ef- fective and proportionate. Animal welfare law Animal Health & Welfare This law protects the welfare of The welfare of stoats and any by- (Scotland) Act 2006 all vertebrate animals kept on a catch must adhere to this legisla- temporary or permanent basis tion. in Scotland. Cultural Heritage Passed to the Future (Sus- Scottish Government policy on The project had potential to affect tainable Management of the the historic environment. historic or archaeological sites Historic Environment) 2002 through the compaction of soil when placing traps and through physical damage to historic fea- tures of interest during digging of soil for trap placement. Scottish Historic Sets out Scottish Government See above. Environment Policy 1: The strategic policy for the historic Historic Environment 2006 environment. Provides a framework for more detailed strategic policies on the management of the historic environment Other Related plans and Policies The 2020 challenge for Scot- Statutory role relating to the The project (if successful) will con- land’s Biodiversity biodiversity duty in the Nature tribute to safeguarding Orkney’s Conservation (Scotland) Act. biodiversity. Scotland’s contribution to meet- ing the Convention on Biologi- cal Diversity The Orkney Local Biodiversi- Measures to protect and enrich See above. ty Action Plan 2018-2022 the biodiversity in the Orkney Isles. RSPB’s Policy on the Killing Guiding policy of RSPB (lead The project conservation dogs can or Taking of Vertebrates partners) in the humane not be used to flush out target spe- (section 6.1.4) trapping of vertebrates. cies. Table 2: Related policies and plans 3. Environmental Baseline The Environmental Report will consider the detailed impacts on biodiversity, flora and fauna. In order to be able to understand the significant environmental effects of the ONWP it is necessary to set out some basic information about the current environment in Orkney relative to the issues. In Orkney there are thirteen SPAs, five SACs and one Ramsar site. Seven SPAs in Orkney include marine areas that are important to breeding seabirds for essential resting and maintenance activities. Work is ongoing throughout the UK to identify a suite of wholly marine SPAs, and the following areas within Orkney waters are currently identified as proposed SPAs: • North Orkney • Scapa Flow 5 / 18 • Pentland Firth A SEA consultation has proposed that the North Orkney and Scapa Flow sites should be combined to form the Orkney Inshore Waters SPA. Decisions on this new classification are currently pending by Scottish Ministers. Nationally protected sites include the Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) of which there are 36. Figures 1 and 2 in the appendix show the distribution of protected areas across Orkney. Stoats are not native to the Orkney archipelago where they are a recent introduction. First reports of stoats on Orkney Mainland were received in 2010, and the population has since expanded rapidly.